Fight, Work and Rest. Nehemiah /

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1 Fight, Work and Rest Nehemiah / Í Ne 2:17 Then I said to them, "You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach." 18 I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." So they put their hands to the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, "What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?" 20 So I answered them and said to them, "The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem." Ne 4:11 Our enemies said, "They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work." 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, "They will come up against us from every place where you may turn," 13 then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 14 When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for

2 your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses." 15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. Ne 4:16 From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 19 I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20 "At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us." 21 So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. REVIEW:PURSUING IN FAITH. Heb And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. I. Faith Convinces Us that We Conquer Ro 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1. Start the Race with an End in Mind 1Co 9:23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

3 2. All Heaven is Cheering for Me Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, II. Faith Convinces Us that God Protects 2Ti 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 1. While you're running God is watching over you! Isa 54: He raises up your enemies!! Faith works better when I know God is in Control 1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. III. Faith Convinces Us that Things Get Better Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 1. Our pursuit must be based in hope!

4 Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2. Hope provides a BLUEPRINT FOR FAITH! Ro 5:1-5 Tribulation>> Perseverance >> Character>>HOPE HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. 1. Everyone receives the measure of faith! Ro 12:3 as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 2. Faith is Increased by Hearing the Word Ro 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 3. Faith is Increased by Exercise Mt 25:21 "His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' 4. Faith is Revealed by Peace MY ABILITY TO REST IN GOD IS THE BEST INDICATOR OF PEACE! Php 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

5 Introduction New wood and old stones- He doesn't completely discard the old nor provide everything new He supplies the new resources and commands us to revive and renew and restructure. REVIEW: FOCUS ON POINT 3 GOD IS SOVEREIGN Four Simple "How To Walk by Faith" Steps Gal 2:19 "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

6 Ro 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." 1. Acknowledge that You're Saved by Grace through Faith ALONE Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. "Doesn't rule out works, it rules out being saved by them!" NOTE: Earn being a MCBATH 2. Crucify Yourself Daily 1Jn 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. Delicate balance - I have sin but I can't practice sin! NOTE: As I admit how weak I am He becomes strong in me! 2Co 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

7 3. Believe in the Sovereign Power of God Isa 46:8 "Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors. 9 "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, `My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; 11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it. FAITH WORKS ON THE PREMISE THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL!!! CHART SHOWING THE KINGS 4. Meditate Upon and Speak the Word of the Lord Jos 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do

8 not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Engage Truth as You Walk thru Each Day!! 1. The VISION of God Will Always Be Attacked A. Remove the idea that one day the battle will end!! 1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

9 B. Make Sure You Fight the Right Enemy Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 2. The VISION Will Equip You A. Nehemiah Gave the People the Tools 13 then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. Nehemiah is the Spirit!! B. You discover your kingdom position in battle 3. The VISION is Place of Rest The crazy thing is that with all this fighting going on we are commanded to rest in Him. To allow Him to fight our battles...in the face of every Sanballat and Tobias. A. Rest is the Position of Power

10 Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. B. Obedience to Nehemiah Produced Rest in Chaos Jn 9:6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, 7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. 8 Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, "Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?" Pursuing with Faith March 2017 will spend this month, teaching you how to pray for the lost, as well as provide opportunities to reach them by participating in our prayer walks beginning this month and next. We will also have invitation cards and door hangers so that you can invite your family, friends and neighbors to our services. Our Holy Communion and Mid-year Consecration next month will symbolize more ways for us to prepare ourselves for this season. And we will end it all with a baptism celebration like one we haven t had before on a Wednesday night in April.

11 Connecting the Dots I want to make sure, as we go through this month and next, preparing for Resurrection Celebration that all of you begin to see how everything is connected. From my messages on faith this month, to believing God for miracles with our prayers, and inviting others to this year s Resurrection Services to everything that is going on from Ash Wednesday to the end of April. Resurrection is God s ultimate miracle. Jesus didn t die a horrible death and rise again so that we can live a life without faith. I want you not only to see, but to be actively involved. One of the most important ways we see the manifestion of our faith is through prayer. Prayer Cards Next week, I will begin sharing how to pray for the lost, specifically for this season. Those who are in your family, in your community and worldwide. Today, however, I want you to begin to believe God for at least three people that you would like Jesus to move in their lives. We will keep these prayer cards at the altar until the end of the Resurrection Season. Expect answered prayers. We are not just putting names on a card, but we believe God for miracles and testimonies to follow. By the time we have prayer during our Mid-Year Consecration, April we would like to see this alter filled with prayer requests. We would also like to see all of you with requests to join us, believe with us, not only your requests, but the requests of others Mid-Year Consecration Service As you heard, we will have mid-year Consecration April Please note that Friday Night Evening Service has changed to 7p-10p

12 I hope you noticed that these services are three days before the Resurrection Celebrations on Saturday night at 6 p and Sunday during regular worship services for a reason. Passion for the Kingdom In Pursuit of Purpose To start our prayer requests, I would like everyone between the ages of to come to the altar so that I can pray with you regarding faith. is why for this Year s Young Adult Summit, I am focused on the topic of purpose. If you go on our website, you can find more information on who will be there and how to register. We will talk more about this later. However, today, I want to pray for you and for you to think of at least three additional people that you want us to pray for. Invite Cards In addition to prayer cards, next week we will have invite cards for all of you to give out to invite people to our celebration services. Kkshayarsha - Xerxes is the Greek form of this Persian name that means "ruler over heroes" List of the Kings of Persia from 550 BC to 330 BC Babylonia Nebuchadnezzar 560 B.C. DANIEL Persian Kings Period of Reign (Approx) Cyrus II "the Great" BC. DANIEL Cambyses II BC Darius I BC Xerxes I BC. ESTHER Artaxerxes I BC. Ezra and Nehemiah Xerxes II BC Darius II BC Artaxerxes II BC. Artaxerxes III BC Arses BC Darius III BC

13 This chart reveals the Kings of the Persian Empire (Achaemenid). The Persian Empire was founded by Cyrus the Great who conquered Babylon in 536 BC. The Persian Empire succeeded the Babylonian Empire and it was Cyrus, who issued the famous decree for the Jews to return to their homeland to rebuild their Temple. Under Darius the second Temple of Zerubbabel was completed; and under Xerxes, or Ahasuerus, the events recorded in the Book of Esther in the Bible happened; under Artaxerxes the Jewish state was reformed by Ezra, and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by Nehemiah. The capital of the Persian Empire was Shushan. The Empire lasted a little more than 200 years, and came to an end in 330 BC. Nebuchadnezzar Nabonidus Belshazzar Darius the Mede?????? Cyrus the Great "PRAYER GIRDS HUMAN WEAKNESS WITH DIVINE STRENGTH, TURNS HUMAN FOLLY INTO HEAVENLY WISDOM, AND GIVES TO TROUBLED MORTALS THE PEACE OF GOD. WE KNOW NOT WHAT PRAYER CAN DO." Charles Haddon Spurgeon